Combined mattress and bedpan



une H. swEENEY 1631656 COMBINED MATTRESS AND BEDPAN Filed July 24. 1926Attorney Patented June 7, 1927.r

IInLoIsE SWEENEX, .)3.1{infin-:train,jvIRGQrIivIA.`

' COMBINED MATTRESS ANI; BEDPAN.

Application mea July 24,

This invention relates to an improved mattress and special bed pan foruse in connection therewith, the structure being particularly adaptedfor use upon invalid beds, but being equally well usable for generalhospital and household purposes.

Before proceeding with the detailed description, I would directattention to the fact that I am well aware that it is broadly old toprovide a mattress which is constructed to accommodate a removable ybedpan..

It follows, that it is the object of this 1nventicn to generally improveupon structures of this combination and construction by providing amattress having a pocket formed therein for reception of an especiallyconstructed bed pan which is disposed flush with the top of the mattressand which is conn structed with a view toward affording eX- tremecomfort for the patient during the use of the pan, and providing forsanitation by preventing soiling of the mattress or the bed clothing.

Particular details forming the alleged novelty will become apparent fromthe following description and drawings.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame y Figure l is a perspective view of a fragmentary portion of amattress constructed in accordance with this invention, and showing` theimproved bed pan in place thereon.

F ig. 2 is a side elevationof the bed pan removed. f

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through the same showing the detailsmore plainly. Y

In the drawings, the reference character l designates the mattresswhich, as shown, is provided with a substantially rectangular pocket inits top, the pocket being of a predetermined depth to permit the topportion of the bed pan, designated generally by the reference character2, to lie perfectly iush with said top. The bed pan is removable andwhen it is removed, -is replaced by a plug 3 of proper shape andthickness to close the pocket.

The improved pan comprises a comparatively shallow receptacle i ofgeneral rectangular configuration, the same being composed of aluminumor some other light-weight non-corrosive material. The receptacle isprovided with a marginal outstanding flange 5 constituting a ledge `torest upon the lmar- 1s26.- seriall No. 124,733.

ginall portion of the pocket-in themattress to arevent it from sinkingtoo far into the pocret. At the right hand end, as shown in Fig. 3,there is an overhanging flange 6 which aidsy in confining the fecalmatter and which is provided with an especially ,shaped depression asshown plainly to conform somewhat to that portion of the body of theperson which'engages it when in'use. This is an importantfactor of theinvention which makes for convenience and comfort of the patient. y

Most devies of this class lack this particularly shaped confining flangewhich, as stated, is an important feature of the present invention. Atthe opposite end of the receptacle is a. relatively narrow plate 7 whichis hingedly mounted on the receptacle as indicated at 8. This plate maybe conveniently designated as an anti-splash guard, and it is adapted toassume a raised right angular position.

To hold it in this raised position, I provide externally disposedarcuatey slotted retainers 9 which cooperate with a keeper 10. To limitthe downward swinging, I provide stops 1l which engage the upper edge ofthe pan. It will be noted that the retaining means is on the exterior ofthe receptacle for sanitary reasons. Moreover, the hinge connections aredetachable for the same reasons.

The provision of this guard prevents soiling, to some extent, of the bedVclothing and the mattress.

' The device, which has been actually constructed and used in hospitals,has been proclaimed'to be exceptionally eicient and is regarded tofuiill a long felt need. The

simplicity and practicability together with il l the sanitary features,bearing out the statements. Moreover the device is the result of muchexperimentation and it is believed to be structurally different fromsimilar patented and marketed devices of the same general class.

As the construction, advantages, and features of the invention have beenmade appa-rent from the description and drawings, a

`moredetailed description is deemed unnecessary.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is As a newarticle of manufacture, a bed pan especially adapted for use inassociation with a bed mattress, said pan comprising comparativelyYshallow receptacle of general recico IOS

i tangular eoniiguration provided with an outstanding marginalsupporting ledge provided at one end with a confining flange overhangingthe bottom in spaced relation, said flange being shaped to conform to apart Vof the body adapted to Contact it, a hingedly mounted plate at theopposite end of the receptacle adapted to be disposed in an uprightposition to function as an anti-splash guard, said plate being providedwith end stops to limit the downward swinging movement and to maintainit in flush relation with the top of the receptacle, and keeper pinscarried by the side walls of the receptacle, too'et-her with pivotallymounted longitudina ly bowed slotted retainers cooperable with said pinsfor-maintaining said plate in operative pOSition. p

In testimony whereof I aliiX my signature.V

. HELOISE SVEENEY.

